Modular Patient Monitoring Medical Device and Connector

ABSTRACT

Systems, methods, devices, and connectors are described herein for a modular patient monitoring medical device. A new generation of physiological measurement devices, such as Intelligent Patient Front End Devices (IPFE) can provide updated algorithms, features, and software updates for parameter measurement devices without corresponding releases of a new version of host monitor software. IPFEs, together with patient sensors, comprise a complete physiological patient parameter measurement delivery system. A number and a type of parameter measurement devices can be configured to meet varied and changing clinical needs. Remote access to versions, logs, self-tests, settings, history, and/or measurements via the Internet to one or more parameter measurement devices can provide a unified service approach. The connector is configured to electrically connect any two or more devices and provides an electrical connection that can be simply physically or tactually confirmed.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No. 62/654,215, filed Apr. 6, 2018 and U.S. ProvisionalPatent Application No. 62/786,047, filed Dec. 28, 2018, the entirecontents of which are hereby fully incorporated by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The subject matter described herein relates to modular patientmonitoring medical devices; and a connector that is able to electricallyconnect any two or more devices and provides an electrical connectionthat can be simply physically or tactually confirmed.

BACKGROUND

Monitors that include electronic visual displays are utilized in a largenumber of applications within a wide variety of industries including,for example, the healthcare industry, the military, and the oil and gasindustry. Many of the applications within such industries require suchmonitors to, at times, be portable, and, at other times, be stationary.For example, in the healthcare industry, when not being used intransport of a patient or when a patient is ambulatory, monitors can beconnected to a monitor mount. Such monitor mounts can provide a varietyof functions including providing physical support, a power source, and aconduit to one or more computer networks.

One type of monitor is a patient monitor which is used by healthcarefacilities to monitor and display information about a patient, such asvital signs, status of connected devices (e.g., physiological sensors,etc.), and the like. Patient monitors can be portable devices thattravel with the patient in order to provide continuous monitoring duringcare. When a patient arrives at a hospital room or other treatmentlocation, the patient monitor is often plugged into or otherwiseconnected to a patient monitor mount. Patient monitor mounts provide aphysical interface for the patient monitor and are generally fixed atthe treatment location. Patient monitor mounts can also provideelectrical connection to other devices or infrastructure, such as powerto recharge patient monitor batteries, network connectivity to othermedical devices or hospital computer systems, and the like.

Patient monitors can rely on the acquisition of physiological signalsobtained from front-end analog circuits connected to a patient. Patientmonitors can process and/or display analog data derived from thepatient. Both patient monitors and patient monitor mounts can includevarious software applications to process and/or transmit data betweeneach other. Software capabilities for such monitors and mounts arecontinuously evolving. Compatibility between patient monitors andpatient monitor mounts can impact monitoring of the patient.

During the course of providing healthcare to patients, practitionerstypically connect at least one type of sensor to a patient to sense,derive or otherwise monitor at least one type of patient medicalparameter. Such patient connected sensors are further connected to amonitor that includes all relevant electronic components that enableconversion, manipulation and processing of the data sensed by the atleast one type of sensor in order to generate patient medicalparameters. These patient medical parameters may be stored in one ormore modules and are usable by healthcare practitioners (e.g., nurses,doctors, physician assistants, or any other person charged withproviding a healthcare service to a patient) in monitoring a patient anddetermining a course of healthcare to be provided to the patient.Additionally or alternatively, the one or more modules may contain data,such as patient treatment data, to be transferred to the monitor and/ora dock.

Connectors are used to electrically connect at least one or moredevices, such as, for example, a patient connected sensor and a module.Conventional connectors often have inconspicuous keying and aredifficult to mate with corresponding interfaces, particularly in lowlight or dark conditions. Such conventional connectors requirepainstaking visual confirmation of the orientations of the interfaces inorder to ensure a proper connection. Therefore, a need exists to providea connector that has conspicuous keying and external shapes that areasymmetrical and can be felt in low light conditions, are easy to matewith corresponding interfaces, and provide electrical and mechanicalconnections that can be simply physically or tactually confirmed.

SUMMARY

Systems, methods, and devices are described herein for a modular patientmonitoring medical device and a connector. A new generation ofphysiological measurement devices, such as Intelligent Patient Front EndDevices (IPFE) can provide updated algorithms, features, and softwareupdates for parameter measurement devices without corresponding releasesof a new version of host monitor software. IPFEs, together with patientsensors, comprise a complete physiological patient parameter measurementdelivery system. A number and a type of parameter measurement devicescan be configured to meet varied and changing clinical needs. Remoteaccess to versions, logs, self-tests, settings, history, and/ormeasurements via the Internet to one or more parameter measurementdevices can provide a unified service approach.

A system may comprise a monitor mount, a rack, a module, a moduleconnector cable and/or a connector including a male connector and/or afemale connector.

In some variations, the module may be configured to be electricallyconnected to the monitor mount by the module connector cable, the modulemay be configured to be detachably secured to the rack, the module mayinclude a male connector and one of the rack and the module connectorcable may include a female connector. In other variations, a connectormay comprise the male connector and the female connector.

The female connector may include a housing including a pair oflongitudinal sides, a planar side connecting first ends of the pair oflongitudinal sides of the female connector, a rounded side connectingsecond ends of the pair of longitudinal sides of the female connector,and a front surface including a plurality of sockets located therein,the plurality of sockets being arranged along a line parallel to thepair of longitudinal sides of the female connector.

The male connector may include a housing including a recess with a pairof longitudinal sides, a planar side connecting first ends of the pairof longitudinal sides of the male connector, a rounded side connectingsecond ends of the pair of longitudinal sides of the male connector, anda recessed surface including a plurality of pins extending therefrom,the plurality of pins being arranged along a line parallel to the pairof longitudinal sides of the male connector.

The housing of the female connector may be configured to be insertableinto the recess of the housing of the male connector such that theplurality of pins of the male connector enter into the plurality ofsockets of the female connector.

In other variations, the module may be configured to be electricallyconnected to the monitor mount by the module connector cable, the modulemay be configured to be detachably secured to the rack, the monitormount may include a female connector, and the module connector cable mayinclude a male connector.

The female connector may include a housing including a pair oflongitudinal sides including ribs formed thereon, a planar sideconnecting first ends of the pair of longitudinal sides of the femaleconnector, a rounded side connecting second ends of the pair oflongitudinal sides of the female connector, and a front surfaceincluding a plurality of sockets located therein, the plurality ofsockets being arranged along a line parallel to the pair of longitudinalsides of the female connector.

The male connector may include a housing including a recess with a pairof longitudinal sides, a planar side connecting first ends of the pairof longitudinal sides of the male connector, a rounded side connectingsecond ends of the pair of longitudinal sides of the male connector, anda recessed surface including a plurality of pins extending therefrom,the plurality of pins being arranged along a line parallel to the pairof longitudinal sides of the male connector.

The housing of the female connector may be configured to be insertableinto the recess of the housing of the male connector such that theplurality of pins of the male connector enter into the plurality ofsockets of the female connector.

A connector may comprise a female connector and a male connector.

The female connector may include a housing including a pair oflongitudinal sides, a planar side connecting first ends of the pair oflongitudinal sides of the female connector, a rounded side connectingsecond ends of the pair of longitudinal sides of the female connector,and a front surface including a plurality of sockets located therein,the plurality of sockets being arranged along a line parallel to thepair of longitudinal sides of the female connector.

The male connector may include a housing including a recess with a pairof longitudinal sides, a planar side connecting first ends of the pairof longitudinal sides of the male connector, a rounded side connectingsecond ends of the pair of longitudinal sides of the male connector, anda recessed surface including a plurality of pins extending therefrom,the plurality of pins being arranged along a line parallel to the pairof longitudinal sides of the male connector.

The housing of the female connector may be configured to be insertableinto the recess of the housing of the male connector such that theplurality of pins of the male connector enter into the plurality ofsockets of the female connector.

A male connector may comprise a housing including a recess with a pairof longitudinal sides, a planar side connecting first ends of the pairof longitudinal sides, a rounded side connecting second ends of the pairof longitudinal sides, and a recessed surface including a plurality ofpins extending therefrom. The pins may be arranged along a line parallelto the pair of longitudinal sides.

A female connector may comprise a housing including a pair oflongitudinal sides, a planar side connecting first ends of the pair oflongitudinal sides, a rounded side connecting second ends of the pair oflongitudinal sides; and a front surface including a plurality of socketslocated therein. The sockets may be arranged along a line parallel tothe pair of longitudinal sides.

The pair of longitudinal sides of the male connector or the pair oflongitudinal sides of the female connector may include ribs formedthereon.

The male connector or the female connector may include at least oneshield spring formed therein. The at least one shield spring may beformed in one of the longitudinal sides, the rounded side, and/or theplanar side.

The male connector or the female connector may include at least oneshield protrusion formed thereon. The at least one shield protrusion maybe formed on one of the longitudinal sides, the rounded side, and/or theplanar side.

The male connector or the female connector may include at least oneshield groove formed therein. The at least one shield groove may beformed in one of the longitudinal sides, the rounded side, and/or theplanar side.

A shroud may be included at the planar side of the male connector or theplanar side of the female connector.

A gasket may surround the housing of the male connector or the housingof the female connector.

The housing of the female connector may be configured to be insertableinto the recess of the housing of the male connector such that at leastone shield protrusion of the male connector compresses at least oneshield spring of the female connector.

An external shape of one of the male connector and the female connectormay be asymmetrical such that the one of the male connector and thefemale connector may be configured to be connected to the other of themale connector and the female connector in only one orientation.

As discussed above, the female connector may include a plurality ofsockets. In one particular embodiment, the female connector comprisesany one or more of the following number of sockets: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7,8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, or 20. In a preferredembodiment, the female connector comprises 7 sockets.

As discussed above, the male connector may include a plurality of pins.In one particular embodiment, the male connector comprises any one ormore of the following number of pins: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11,12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, or 20. In a preferred embodiment, themale connector comprises 7 pins.

The male connector or the female connector may include a shieldconfigured to contact the at least one shield spring. The shield may bea 360° shield.

The male connector or the female connector may include at least one of acontact holder, a socket holder, or shield tabs.

The male connector or the female connector may include holes forreceiving fasteners.

A cable may join the male connector and the female connector.

The system may further comprise a cable and a circular connector, thecable joining the male connector or the female connector and thecircular connector.

The connector may be configured to be electrically connected to amonitor mount and/or a rack.

The male connector and the female connector may be configured to beconnected through a back wall of a rack.

The male connector or the female connector may be defined in a rack, amonitor mount, a module, and/or at an end of a cable.

The monitor mount may be configured to detachably secure a patientmonitor configured to monitor and display information about a patient.

The module may be a patient monitoring module configured to acquire andprocess data generated by at least one physiological sensor configuredto monitor a physiological parameter of a patient.

Non-transitory computer program products (i.e., physically embodiedcomputer program products) are also described that store instructions,which when executed by one or more data processors of one or morecomputing systems, cause at least one data processor to performoperations herein. Similarly, computer systems are also described thatmay include one or more data processors and memory coupled to the one ormore data processors. The memory may temporarily or permanently storeinstructions that cause at least one processor to perform one or more ofthe operations described herein. In addition, methods can be implementedby one or more data processors either within a single computing systemor distributed among two or more computing systems. Such computingsystems can be connected and can exchange data and/or commands or otherinstructions or the like via one or more connections, including, but notlimited to, a connection over a network (e.g., the Internet, a wirelesswide area network, a local area network, a wide area network, a wirednetwork, or the like), via a direct connection between one or more ofthe multiple computing systems, etc.

The subject matter described herein provides many technical advantages.For example, the current subject matter as described herein providesplug-and-play capabilities for patient monitors and/or one or morephysiological parameter measurement pods. Use of the subject matterdescribed herein can improve software integration capabilities ofconsuming medical devices, such as physiological parameter measurementpods, with patient monitors. Such integration capabilities canadditionally provide for decoupled software development of one or morephysiological parameter measurement pods and one or more patientmonitors. The connector has conspicuous keying and external shapes thatare asymmetrical and can be felt in low light conditions, are easy tomate with corresponding interfaces, and provide electrical andmechanical connections that can be simply physically or tactuallyconfirmed.

The details of one or more variations of the subject matter describedherein are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the descriptionbelow. Other features and advantages of the subject matter describedherein will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from theclaims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1A and 1B are front and rear perspective views of an exampleenvironment for an example system including a monitor 120, aphysiological parameter measurement pod 140, a monitor mount 160, aphysiological parameter measurement pod rack 210, a rack module 220, oneor more cables 700, a male connector 701, and a female connector 702.

FIG. 2 is a logic diagram illustrating a monitor 120, a physiologicalparameter measurement pod 140, and a monitor mount 160 and the variouscomponents identified therein.

FIG. 3 is an example physiological parameter measurement pod rack 210having a rack slot to accommodate a rack module 220 with at least oneexample patient connection 700 extending therefrom.

FIG. 4 is a system block diagram illustrating an architecture 300 foruse in connection with the current subject matter.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a sample computing device architecture400 for implementing various aspects described herein.

FIG. 6 is a back perspective view of an exemplary system including amonitor mount 160, a physiological parameter measurement pod rack 210, arack module 220, and a first exemplary implementation of a cable 700.

FIG. 7 is an exploded back perspective view of an exemplary systemincluding a monitor mount 160, a physiological parameter measurement podrack 210, a rack module 220, and first and second exemplaryimplementations of cables 700 and 700′.

FIG. 8 is an exploded back perspective view of an exemplary systemincluding a rack module 220, and a third exemplary implementation of acable 700″.

FIG. 9 is an exploded back perspective view of an exemplary systemincluding a rack module 220, a male connector 701 and a female connector702.

FIGS. 10A-10D are perspective views of exemplary implementations of thefemale connector 702, 702′, 702″, and 702″′.

FIGS. 11A and 11B are perspective views of exemplary implementations ofthe male connector 701 and 701′.

FIG. 12 is an exploded perspective view of an exemplary system includinga physiological parameter measurement pod rack 210, and rack modules220.

FIGS. 13A-13D are various views of an exemplary implementation of themale connector 701.

FIGS. 14A-14D are various views of an exemplary implementation of thefemale connector 702.

FIG. 15 is an exploded perspective view of the male connector 701 andthe female connector 702.

FIG. 16 is a side view of the male connector 701 and the femaleconnector 702.

FIGS. 17A-17C are perspective views of exemplary implementations of thefemale connector 702′ and 702″″.

FIGS. 17D-17F are perspective views of exemplary implementations of themale connector 701, 701″.

FIG. 18 is an exploded perspective view of an exemplary implementationof the male connector 701.

FIG. 19 is an exploded perspective view of an exemplary implementationof the female connector 702.

FIG. 20 is an exploded perspective view of an exemplary implementationof the male connector 701″ and the female connector 702″.

FIG. 21 is an exploded back perspective view of an exemplary systemincluding a rack module 220 and a cable 700.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Physiological parameter measurement pods are devices for measuring oneor more patient physiological parameters of a patient. Such dataacquisition devices can self-describe the data produced and adjustconfiguration settings based on a particular connection environment.Self-describing physiological parameter measurement pods can allowmedical devices to use data with minimal to no software updates. Thepresent subject matter is described in detail herein.

FIGS. 1A and 1B are front and rear perspective views of an exampleenvironment for an example system including a monitor 120, aphysiological parameter measurement pod 140, a monitor mount 160, aphysiological parameter measurement pod rack 210, one or more rackmodules 220, at least one cable 700, a male connector 701, and a femaleconnector 702. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, at least onecable 700 including a male connector 701 and a female connector 702 maybe used to electrically connect the monitor mount 160, the physiologicalparameter measurement pod rack 210, and/or the one or more rack modules220.

FIG. 2 is a logical diagram 100 of a monitor 120, a physiologicalparameter measurement pod 140, and a monitor mount 160 which candetachably secure (or otherwise physically interface) with both of themonitor 120 and the physiological parameter measurement pod 140. As willbe described in further detail below, the monitor 120 can have a shapeand size which differs from that of the physiological parametermeasurement pod 140. Nonetheless, both of the monitor 120 and thephysiological parameter measurement pod 140 are able to be concurrentlysecured to the monitor mount 160. In addition, while certainconfigurations are illustrated in FIG. 2 with regard to the monitormount 160, the monitor 120, and the physiological parameter measurementpod 140, it will be appreciated that these illustrations are examplesand not limiting in nature (unless otherwise specified).

The monitor 120 can, for example, be a patient monitor that is used tomonitor various physiological parameters for a patient 110. With such avariation, the monitor 120 can include a sensor interface 122 that canbe used to connect via wired and/or wireless interfaces to one or morephysiological sensors and/or medical devices 112 (e.g., ECG electrodes,SPO₂ sensors, blood pressure cuffs, apnea detection sensors,respirators, etc.) associated with the patient 110. The monitor 120 caninclude one or more processors 124 (e.g., programmable data processors,etc.) which can execute various instructions stored in memory 130 of themonitor 120. Various data and graphical user interfaces can be conveyedto a user via an electronic visual display 126. This information can,for example, relate to the measured physiological parameters of thepatient 110 and the like (e.g., blood pressure, heart relatedinformation, pulse oximetry, respiration information, etc.). Other typesof information can also be conveyed by the electronic visual display126. In some variations, the electronic visual display 126 includes atouch screen interface.

The monitor 120 can additionally include a communications interface 128which allows the monitor 120 directly or indirectly (via, for example,the monitor mount 160) to access one or more computing networks. Thecommunications interface 128 can include various networkcards/interfaces to enable wired and wireless communications with suchcomputing networks. The communications interface 128 can also enabledirect (i.e., device-to-device, etc.) communications (i.e., messaging,signal exchange, etc.) such as from the monitor mount 160 to the monitor120.

The monitor 120 can optionally also include a power source and/orconduit 132 that can be used to power the various components of themonitor 120. The power source/conduit 132 can include a self-containedpower source such as a battery pack and/or the power source/conduit 132can include an interface to be powered through an electrical outlet(either directly or by way of the monitor mount 160).

Physiological parameter measurement pods 140 are devices for measuringone or more patient physiological parameters of the patient 110.Additionally, physiological parameter measurement pods 140 canfacilitate the exchange of data related to the physiological parametersof the patient 110 with a patient monitoring device, such as the monitor120. The physiological parameter measurement pod 140 can include one ormore processors 142 (e.g., programmable data processors, etc.) which canexecute various instructions stored in memory 144 of the physiologicalparameter measurement pod 140. In some variations, various data andgraphical user interfaces can be conveyed to a user via an electronicvisual display 146. This information can, for example, relate to themeasured physiological parameters of the patient 110 and the like (e.g.,blood pressure, heart related information, pulse oximetry, respirationinformation, etc.) as received from the monitor 120. Other types ofinformation can also be conveyed by the electronic visual display 146.In some variations, the electronic visual display 146 includes a touchscreen interface.

The physiological parameter measurement pod 140 can additionally includea communications interface 148 which allows the physiological parametermeasurement pod 140 directly or indirectly (via, for example, themonitor 120 and/or the monitor mount 160) to access one or morecomputing networks. The communications interface 148 can include variousnetwork cards/interfaces to enable wired and wireless communicationswith such computing networks. The communications interface 148 can alsoenable direct (i.e., device-to-device, etc.) communications (i.e.,messaging, signal exchange, etc.) such as from the monitor mount 160 tothe physiological parameter measurement pod 140 and from the monitor 120to the physiological parameter measurement pod 140.

The physiological parameter measurement pod 140 can optionally alsoinclude a power source and/or conduit 150 that can be used to power thevarious components of the monitor 120. The power source/conduit 150 caninclude a self-contained power source such as a battery pack and/or thepower source/conduit 150 can include an interface to be powered throughan electrical outlet (either directly or by way of the monitor 120and/or the monitor mount 160). In some variations, the physiologicalparameter measurement pod 140 can only be powered and render informationwhen secured or otherwise connected to one or more of the monitor 120and the monitor mount 160.

The monitor mount 160 can include one or more processors 162 (e.g.,programmable data processors, etc.) which can execute variousinstructions stored in memory 164 of the monitor mount 160. The monitormount 160 can additionally include a communications interface 166 whichallows the monitor mount 160 directly or indirectly to access one ormore computing networks. The communications interface 166 can includevarious network cards/interfaces to enable wired and wirelesscommunications with such computing networks. The communicationsinterface 166 can also enable direct (i.e., device-to-device, etc.)communications (i.e., messaging, signal exchange, etc.) such as with themonitor 120 and/or the physiological parameter measurement pod 140.

The monitor mount 160 can optionally also include a power source and/orconduit 168 that can be used to power the various components of themonitor mount 160 and/or the monitor 120 and the physiological parametermeasurement pod 140 when secured to the monitor mount 160. The powersource/conduit 168 can include a self-contained power source such as abattery pack and/or the power source/conduit 168 can include aninterface to be powered through an electrical outlet.

In some variations, the one or more processors 162 and the memory 164are omitted such that the monitor mount 160 provides only physicalsupport and optionally a power source.

The monitor mount 160 has a shape and size which allows the monitormount 160 to detachably secure both the monitor 120 and thephysiological parameter measurement pod 140. In this regard, “detachablysecure” means that the monitor mount 160 can secure the monitor 120 andthe physiological parameter measurement pod 140 such that the monitor120 and/or the physiological parameter measurement pod 140 can beremoved by a user when desired.

The positioning of the monitor 120, when secured to the monitor mount160, can be such that the communications interface 128 on the monitor120 interacts with the communications interface 166 of the monitor mount160 to allow, for example, a direct connection (e.g., electricalconnection). In other variations, the communications interface 128 ofthe monitor 120 exchanges data with the communications interface 166 ofthe monitor mount 160 optically (via, for example, respective opticalwindows on the monitor 120 and the monitor mount 160).

The positioning of the monitor 120 when secured to the monitor mount 160can also align the power source/conduit 132 of the monitor 120 to becoupled to the power source/conduit 168 of the monitor mount 160 whichcauses the monitor mount 160 to power the monitor 120.

Any of the monitor mount 160, the monitor 120, and the physiologicalparameter measurement pod 140 can optionally also include an interfaceconfigured to receive a connector 701-702″″ of a cable 700-700″ or wiredconnection for connecting a module, a monitor, device, other externalunit or the like.

FIG. 3 is an example physiological parameter measurement pod rack 210having a rack slot for a rack module 220. In some variations, the rackmodule 220 can be detachably secured within one or more slots of thephysiological parameter measurement pod rack 210. One or more cables700-700″, i.e., patient connections as shown in the embodiment in FIG.3, can be coupled to the rack module 220 for transmission of one or morephysiological patient parameters of the patient 110. In othervariations, the physiological patient parameter pod rack 210 can be amodular pod rack as described by WO 2015/094248 titled “Rack MountedModules,” the entire contents of which are hereby fully incorporated byreference. An example of physiological patient parameter pods 140 foruse in connection with subject matter described herein can include thosedescribed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,221,012 B1, titled “Transportable ModularPatient Monitor with Data Acquisition Modules,” the entire contents ofwhich are hereby fully incorporated by reference.

The rack module 220 can provide one or more different functions used indelivering healthcare to a patient. The rack module 220 can acquirepatient data including the monitored parameters allocated to a givenpatient from a network and collate the information for storage in adatabase. The rack module 220 can be any of a patient monitoring modulefor acquiring and processing data generated by at least onephysiological sensor monitoring a physiological parameter of a patient(e.g., gas measurement, end-tidal carbon dioxide (etCO₂), SCIO, patientgas, thermoregulation, blood pressure, heart related measurement, pulseoximetry, respiration, neonatal measurement, ventilation, anesthesiainformation, incubation information, etc.), a patient treatment modulefor delivering treatment to the patient (e.g., supplying fluidsadministered to the patient and supplying anesthesia to the patient,respectively), a control module, a charging module, a compartmentmodule, a converter module, a transmitter module, a relay module, abattery module, a camera module, a purge module, a robot module, aninternal and/or external communication module, a power supply module, aglobal positioning system (GPS) module, a mobile and/or stationary datatransfer module, an output board, a facility module, a Trace Work Area(TWA) control module, an output board, a dock module, an adapter module,a passive treatment module, an active treatment module, etc. A processorcan process signals derived from the rack module 220.

FIG. 4 is a system block diagram illustrating an architecture 300 foruse in connection with the current subject matter. The current subjectmatter is described in connection with an arrangement involving themonitor 120, the one or more physiological parameter measurement pods140, the monitor mount 160, and one or more servers 320 which cancommunicate over one or more networks 330. Each of the monitor 120, theone or more physiological parameter measurement pods 140, the monitormount 160, and the one or more servers 320 can comprise one or moreprogrammable data processors and memory for storing instructions forexecution by such programmable data processor(s). Furthermore, it willbe appreciated that each of the monitor 120, the one or morephysiological parameter measurement pods 140, the monitor mount 160, andthe one or more servers 320 can comprise more than one computing devicedepending on the desired configuration and that the illustration in FIG.4 is simplified to aid in the understanding of the current subjectmatter. Software configurations and/or updates to the monitor 120, theone or more physiological parameter measurement pods 140, and/or themonitor mount 160 can be transmitted via the network(s) 330. Thenetwork(s) 330 can be wireless network(s) and/or wired network(s).

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a sample computing device architecture400 for implementing various aspects described herein. A system bus 404can serve as the information highway interconnecting the otherillustrated components of the hardware. A processing system 408 labeledCPU (central processing unit) (e.g., one or more computerprocessors/data processors at a given computer or at multiple computers)can perform calculations and logic operations required to execute aprogram. A non-transitory processor-readable storage medium, such asread only memory (ROM) 412 and random access memory (RAM) 416, can be incommunication with the processing system 408 and can include one or moreprogramming instructions for the operations specified here. Optionally,program instructions can be stored on a non-transitory computer-readablestorage medium such as a magnetic disk, an optical disk, a recordablememory device, flash memory, or another physical storage medium.

In one example, a disk controller 448 can act as an interface betweenone or more optional disk drives and the system bus 404. These diskdrives can be external or internal floppy disk drives such as 460,external or internal CD-ROM, CD-R, CD-RW or DVD, or solid state drivessuch as 452, or external or internal hard drives 456. As indicatedpreviously, these various disk drives 452, 456, 460 and disk controllersare optional devices. The system bus 404 can also include at least onecommunication port 420 to allow for communication with external deviceseither physically connected to the computing system or availableexternally through a wired or wireless network. In some cases, thecommunication port 420 includes or otherwise comprises a networkinterface.

To provide for interaction with a user, the subject matter describedherein can be implemented on a computing device having a display 440(e.g., a CRT (cathode ray tube) or LCD (liquid crystal display) monitor)for displaying information obtained from the system bus 404 to the userand an input device 432 such as a keyboard and/or a pointing device(e.g., a mouse or a trackball) and/or a touchscreen by which the usercan provide input to the computer. Other kinds of input devices 432 canbe used to provide for interaction with a user as well. For example,feedback provided to the user can be any form of sensory feedback (e.g.,visual feedback, auditory feedback by way of a speaker 437, or tactilefeedback), and input from the user can be received in any form,including acoustic, speech, or tactile input. The input device 432 and amicrophone 436 can be coupled to and convey information via the systembus 404 by way of an input device interface 428. The speaker 437 can becoupled to and receive information via the system bus 404 by way of aspeaker interface 438. Other computing devices, such as dedicatedservers, can omit one or more of the display 440, the display interface414, the input device 432, the microphone 436, the speaker 437, theinput device interface 428 and the speaker interface 438.

In the embodiments shown in FIGS. 6-21, male and female connectors701-702″ can be used to electrically connect any two or more devices(e.g., a monitor mount 160, a physiological parameter measurement podrack 210, a rack module 220, and/or a medical device 112 or sensorconnected to a patient 110).

FIGS. 6-21 show various exemplary implementations of cables 700-700″,male connectors 701-701″, and female connectors 702-702″. The male andfemale connectors 701-702″″ can be used to electrically connect any twoor more devices (e.g., a monitor mount 160, a physiological parametermeasurement pod rack 210, a rack module 220, and/or a medical device orsensor 112 connected to a patient 110). In particular, the male andfemale connectors 701-702″″ enable power sharing and/or data transferbetween the two or more devices.

In some variations, the male connectors 701-701″ and the femaleconnectors 702-702″″ can be configured in any of cable, monitor mount,or rack versions. For example, in the embodiments shown in FIGS. 9, 12,15 and 16, the male connector 701 of the rack module 220 and the femaleconnector 702 can electrically and mechanically connect directly to eachother whereby no cable is integrated with the female connector 702. Asshown in FIG. 8, for example, a cable 700″ is integrated with the femaleconnector 702′. The cable 700″ may function as a connection from therack module 220 to the monitor mount 160 or a monitor 120 bycircumventing the physiological parameter measurement pod rack 210. Inother words, the rack module 220 may be directly connected to themonitor mount 160 or the monitor 120 via the cable 700″. For example,female connectors 702-702″ can be connected to male connectors 701″.

As shown in FIGS. 10A-10D, for example, the female connector 702-702″″includes a housing 719 including a pair of longitudinal sides, a planarside connecting first ends of the pair of longitudinal sides of thefemale connector 702-702″″, a rounded side connecting second ends of thepair of longitudinal sides of the female connector 702-702″″, and afront surface including a plurality of sockets 703 located therein, theplurality of sockets 703 being arranged along a line parallel to thepair of longitudinal sides of the female connector 702-702″″.

As shown in FIGS. 11A and 11B, for example, the male connector 701-701″includes a housing 707 including a recess with a pair of longitudinalsides, a planar side connecting first ends of the pair of longitudinalsides of the male connector 701-701″, a rounded side connecting secondends of the pair of longitudinal sides of the male connector 701-701″,and a recessed surface including a plurality of pins 710 extendingtherefrom, the plurality of pins 710 being arranged along a lineparallel to the pair of longitudinal sides of the male connector701-701″.

As shown in FIGS. 15 and 16, for example, the housing 719 of the femaleconnector 702-702″″ is configured to be insertable into the recess ofthe housing 707 of the male connector 701-701″ such that the pluralityof pins 710 of the male connector 701-701″ enter into the plurality ofsockets 703 of the female connector 702-702″″. In some variations, themale connector 701-701″ may include seven pins 710 and the femaleconnector 702-702″″ may include seven sockets 703. In the embodimentshown in FIG. 12, the male connector 701-701″ and the female connector702-702″″ can be connected through a back wall of a physiologicalparameter measurement pod rack 210.

As shown in FIGS. 10A and 10D, for example, the pair of longitudinalsides of the male connector 701-701″ or the pair of longitudinal sidesof the female connector 702-702″″ may include ribs 704 formed thereon.The ribs 704 may increase friction such that the connector having theribs 704 cannot be inserted into an incorrect device or interface. Forexample, the monitor mount 160 may include a female connector 702″having ribs 704. The ribs 704 may increase friction such that a sturdierelectrical and mechanical connection is provided. The cables 700-700″may also include a female connector 702′ having ribs 704.

In some variations, as shown in FIGS. 13B and 17D-18, for example, themale connector 701-701″ may include a shield 711 including at least oneshield protrusion 708 that provides electromagnetic interference (EMI)protection during signal transfer. As shown in FIGS. 17A-17C, forexample, the female connector 702-702″″ may include at least one shieldspring 705 for receiving the shield protrusions 708. The shield spring705 can be formed in one of the longitudinal sides, the rounded side,and/or the planar side of the female connector 702-702″″. The femaleconnector 702-702″″ may also include a shield 718 as shown in FIG. 19.Accordingly, the male connector 701-701″ and the female connector702-702″″ are configured to engage with each other sufficiently toensure that the shield protrusion 708 fully compresses the shield spring705. The shield 711 may be a 360° shield and an edge of the 360° shieldmay make contact with the highest point of the shield spring 705.

Alternatively, in embodiments not shown, the male connector 701-701″ mayinclude at least one shield spring 705 and the female connector702-702″″ may include at least one shield protrusion 708. The shieldspring 705 can be formed in one of the longitudinal sides, the roundedside, and/or the planar side of the male connector 701-701″.

In addition, a minimum engagement required for full shield contactcompression may be 4.86 mm. As shown in FIGS. 10C-11A, for example, agasket 706 may be provided on either of the male connector 701-701″ orthe female connector 702-702″″ to provide sealing. The gasket 706 maysurround the housing 707 of the male connector 701-701″ or the housing719 of the female connector 702-702″″. The male connector 701-701″ mayinclude holes 709 for fasteners. Similarly, the female connector702-702″″ may also include holes 712 for fasteners. One end of any ofthe cables 700-700″ may feature a circular connector for electricalconnection with a device, as shown in FIGS. 6-8, for example. A lengthof any of the cables 700-700″ may be less than 3 meters.

As discussed above, an external shape of one of the male connector701-701″ and the female connector 702-702″″ is asymmetrical such thatthe one of the male connector 701-701″ and the female connector702-702″″ is configured to be connected to the other of the maleconnector 701-701″ and the female connector 702-702″″ in only oneorientation.

As shown in FIG. 10B, for example, one of the male connector 701-701″and the female connector 702-702″″ may include a shroud 715 for ensuringthat the connector cannot be inserted into an incorrect device orinterface. The shroud 715 may be comprised of an overmolded protrusionwhich is adjacent to the housing of the connector. For example, thefemale connector 702-702″″ may include the shroud 715 at the planar sideof the housing 719.

In addition, as shown in FIGS. 13B and 14B, for example, the maleconnector 701-701″ or the female connector 702-702″″ may includeadditional features such as a contact holder 720, a socket holder 717,shield tabs 713, etc. A back face of the male connector 701-701″ mayinclude a harness 714 for further electrical or mechanical connection.Similarly, a back face of the female connector 702-702″″ may alsoinclude a harness 716 for further electrical or mechanical connection.

In the embodiments shown in FIGS. 17B and 17C, the female connector702″″ includes at least one shield protrusion 722 formed thereon. Theshield protrusion 722 can be formed on one of the longitudinal sides,the rounded side, and/or the planar side of the female connector 702″″.In the embodiments shown in FIGS. 17B and 17C, the at least one shieldprotrusion 722 is rounded.

Alternatively, in embodiments not shown, the male connector 701-701″ mayinclude a shroud 715 at the planar side of the housing 707.

In the embodiments shown in FIGS. 17E and 17F, the male connector 701″includes at least one shield groove 723 formed therein. The shieldgroove 723 can be formed in one of the longitudinal sides, the roundedside, and/or the planar side of the male connector 701″. The shieldgroove 723 corresponds to and is configured to receive the shieldprotrusion 722 when the male connector 701″ and the female connector702″″ are physically connected. The combination of the shield protrusion722 and the shield groove 723 ensures that the connectors cannot beinserted into incorrect devices or interfaces. Any of the femaleconnectors 702-702″′ may optionally include apertures 721 adjacent tothe sockets 703 for facilitating formation of the sockets 703 and/orfacilitating fluid drainage from an interior of the female connector702-702″″.

Alternatively, in embodiments not shown, the female connector 702-702″″may include at least one shield groove 723 and the male connector701-701″ may include at least one shield protrusion 722. The shieldgroove 723 can be formed in one of the longitudinal sides, the roundedside, and/or the planar side of the female connector 702-702″″. Theshield protrusion 722 can be formed in one of the longitudinal sides,the rounded side, and/or the planar side of male connector 701-701″.

As shown in FIG. 18, for example, the male connector 701 may include aboot 724 to be attached to an end of a cable. Similarly, as shown inFIG. 19, the female connector 702 may include a boot 725 to be attachedto an end of a cable.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 20, the female connector 702″″ mayinclude at least one shield protrusion 722′ formed thereon. In theembodiment shown in FIG. 20, the shield protrusion 722′ can be formed onthe planar side of the female connector 702″″ and may be less roundedthan the shield protrusion 722 in the embodiment shown in FIG. 17C. Theshield protrusion 722′ can be, for example, nonround, rectangular, ortrapezoidal. In embodiments not shown, the shield protrusion 722′ can beformed on one of the longitudinal sides and/or the rounded side of thefemale connector 702″″.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 20, the male connector 701″ may includeat least one shield groove 723′ formed therein. In the embodiment shownin FIG. 20, the shield groove 723′ can be formed in the planar side ofthe male connector 701″ and may be less rounded than the shield groove723 in the embodiment shown in FIG. 17F. The shield groove 723′ can be,for example, nonround, rectangular, or trapezoidal. The shield groove723′ corresponds to and is configured to receive the shield protrusion722′ when the male connector 701″ and the female connector 702″″ arephysically connected. The combination of the shield protrusion 722′ andthe shield groove 723′ ensures that the connectors cannot be insertedinto incorrect devices or interfaces.

Exemplary construction materials for various elements of the connectorcan include 10% GF PBT contact pins, and brass with 10 micro inch goldplating over 150 micro inch nickel plate per ASTM B488 Type 1-C. Anexemplary color for various elements of the connector can be RAL 7032.The connector may be rated to have a 10 mOHM current capacity, aninitial mating force may be less than 5N and the connector should beable to withstand a minimum of 5000 mate and un-mate cycles such that achange in the contact resistance is no greater than 0.50 mOHM. Theconnector may also be sealed watertight IP54 minimum between contactsand a PCB therein. Therefore, the connectors 701-702″″ have conspicuouskeying and external shapes that are asymmetrical and can be felt in lowlight conditions, are easy to mate with corresponding devices orinterfaces, and provide electrical and mechanical connections that canbe simply physically or tactually confirmed.

The connector of the present disclosure therefore addresses deficienciesof inconspicuous keying and difficulty in mating with correspondinginterfaces, and the requirement of painstaking visual confirmation ofthe orientations of the interfaces in order to ensure a properconnection.

Any feature of any particular portion, embodiment or modification of theconnector 701-702″″ may be included or omitted from any of the otherportions, embodiments or modifications of the connector 701-702″″.

One or more aspects or features of the subject matter described hereincan be realized in digital electronic circuitry, integrated circuitry,specially designed application specific integrated circuits (ASICs),field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) computer hardware, firmware,software, and/or combinations thereof. These various aspects or featurescan include implementation in one or more computer programs that areexecutable and/or interpretable on a programmable system including atleast one programmable processor, which can be special or generalpurpose, coupled to receive data and instructions from, and to transmitdata and instructions to, a storage system, at least one input device,and at least one output device. The programmable system or computingsystem may include clients and servers. A client and a server aregenerally remote from each other and typically interact through acommunication network. The relationship of the client and the serverarises by virtue of computer programs running on the respectivecomputers and having a client-server relationship to each other.

These computer programs, which can also be referred to as programs,software, software applications, applications, components, or code,include machine instructions for a programmable processor, and can beimplemented in a high-level procedural language, an object-orientedprogramming language, a functional programming language, a logicalprogramming language, and/or in assembly/machine language. As usedherein, the term “machine-readable medium” refers to any computerprogram product, apparatus and/or device, such as, for example, magneticdisks, optical disks, memory, and Programmable Logic Devices (PLDs),used to provide machine instructions and/or data to a programmableprocessor, including a machine-readable medium that receives machineinstructions as a machine-readable signal. The term “machine-readablesignal” refers to any signal used to provide machine instructions and/ordata to a programmable processor. The machine-readable medium can storesuch machine instructions non-transitorily, such as, for example, aswould a non-transient solid-state memory or a magnetic hard drive or anyequivalent storage medium. The machine-readable medium can alternativelyor additionally store such machine instructions in a transient manner,such as, for example, as would a processor cache or other random accessmemory associated with one or more physical processor cores.

To provide for interaction with a user, one or more aspects or featuresof the subject matter described herein can be implemented on a computerhaving a display device, such as, for example, a cathode ray tube (CRT)or a liquid crystal display (LCD) or a light emitting diode (LED)monitor for displaying information to the user and a keyboard and apointing device, such as, for example, a mouse or a trackball, by whichthe user may provide input to the computer. Other kinds of devices canbe used to provide for interaction with a user as well. For example,feedback provided to the user can be any form of sensory feedback, suchas, for example, visual feedback, auditory feedback, or tactilefeedback; and input from the user may be received in any form,including, but not limited to, acoustic, speech, or tactile input. Otherpossible input devices include, but are not limited to, touch screens orother touch-sensitive devices such as single or multi-point resistive orcapacitive trackpads, voice recognition hardware and software, opticalscanners, optical pointers, digital image capture devices and associatedinterpretation software, and the like.

It is also contemplated that the implementation of the components of thepresent disclosure can be done with any newly arising technology thatmay replace any of the above implementation technologies.

In the descriptions above and in the claims, phrases such as “at leastone of” or “one or more of” may occur followed by a conjunctive list ofelements or features. The term “and/or” may also occur in a list of twoor more elements or features. Unless otherwise implicitly or explicitlycontradicted by the context in which it is used, such a phrase isintended to mean any of the listed elements or features individually orany of the recited elements or features in combination with any of theother recited elements or features. For example, the phrases “at leastone of A and B;” “one or more of A and B;” and “A and/or B” are eachintended to mean “A alone, B alone, or A and B together.” A similarinterpretation is also intended for lists including three or more items.For example, the phrases “at least one of A, B, and C;” “one or more ofA, B, and C;” and “A, B, and/or C” are each intended to mean “A alone, Balone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, orA and B and C together.” In addition, use of the term “based on,” aboveand in the claims is intended to mean, “based at least in part on,” suchthat an unrecited feature or element is also permissible.

The subject matter described herein can be embodied in systems,apparatus, methods, and/or articles depending on the desiredconfiguration. The implementations set forth in the foregoingdescription do not represent all implementations consistent with thesubject matter described herein. Instead, the implementations set forthin the foregoing description are merely some examples consistent withaspects related to the described subject matter. Although a fewvariations have been described in detail above, other modifications oradditions are possible. In particular, further features and/orvariations can be provided in addition to those set forth herein. Forexample, the implementations described above can be directed to variouscombinations and subcombinations of the disclosed features and/orcombinations and subcombinations of several further features disclosedabove. In addition, the logic flows depicted in the accompanying figuresand/or described herein do not necessarily require the particular ordershown, or sequential order, to achieve desirable results. Otherimplementations may be within the scope of the following claims.

1. A system comprising: a monitor mount; a rack; a module; and a moduleconnector cable, wherein: the module is configured to be electricallyconnected to the monitor mount by the module connector cable; the moduleis configured to be detachably secured to the rack; the module includesa male connector; one of the rack and the module connector cableincludes a female connector; the female connector includes a housingincluding a pair of longitudinal sides, a planar side connecting firstends of the pair of longitudinal sides of the female connector, arounded side connecting second ends of the pair of longitudinal sides ofthe female connector, and a front surface including a plurality ofsockets located therein, the plurality of sockets being arranged along aline parallel to the pair of longitudinal sides of the female connector;the male connector includes a housing including a recess with a pair oflongitudinal sides, a planar side connecting first ends of the pair oflongitudinal sides of the male connector, a rounded side connectingsecond ends of the pair of longitudinal sides of the male connector, anda recessed surface including a plurality of pins extending therefrom,the plurality of pins being arranged along a line parallel to the pairof longitudinal sides of the male connector; and the housing of thefemale connector is configured to be insertable into the recess of thehousing of the male connector such that the plurality of pins of themale connector enter into the plurality of sockets of the femaleconnector.
 2. A system comprising: a monitor mount; a rack; a module;and a module connector cable, wherein: the module is configured to beelectrically connected to the monitor mount by the module connectorcable; the module is configured to be detachably secured to the rack;the monitor mount includes a female connector; the module connectorcable includes a male connector; the female connector includes a housingincluding a pair of longitudinal sides including ribs formed thereon, aplanar side connecting first ends of the pair of longitudinal sides ofthe female connector, a rounded side connecting second ends of the pairof longitudinal sides of the female connector, and a front surfaceincluding a plurality of sockets located therein, the plurality ofsockets being arranged along a line parallel to the pair of longitudinalsides of the female connector; the male connector includes a housingincluding a recess with a pair of longitudinal sides, a planar sideconnecting first ends of the pair of longitudinal sides of the maleconnector, a rounded side connecting second ends of the pair oflongitudinal sides of the male connector, and a recessed surfaceincluding a plurality of pins extending therefrom, the plurality of pinsbeing arranged along a line parallel to the pair of longitudinal sidesof the male connector; and the housing of the female connector isconfigured to be insertable into the recess of the housing of the maleconnector such that the plurality of pins of the male connector enterinto the plurality of sockets of the female connector.
 3. A connectorcomprising: a female connector; and a male connector, wherein: thefemale connector includes a housing including a pair of longitudinalsides, a planar side connecting first ends of the pair of longitudinalsides of the female connector, a rounded side connecting second ends ofthe pair of longitudinal sides of the female connector, and a frontsurface including a plurality of sockets located therein, the pluralityof sockets being arranged along a line parallel to the pair oflongitudinal sides of the female connector; the male connector includesa housing including a recess with a pair of longitudinal sides, a planarside connecting first ends of the pair of longitudinal sides of the maleconnector, a rounded side connecting second ends of the pair oflongitudinal sides of the male connector, and a recessed surfaceincluding a plurality of pins extending therefrom, the plurality of pinsbeing arranged along a line parallel to the pair of longitudinal sidesof the male connector; and the housing of the female connector isconfigured to be insertable into the recess of the housing of the maleconnector such that the plurality of pins of the male connector enterinto the plurality of sockets of the female connector. 4.-5. (canceled)6. The connector of claim 3, wherein the pair of longitudinal sides ofthe male connector or the pair of longitudinal sides of the femaleconnector includes ribs formed thereon.
 7. The connector of claim 3,wherein the male connector or the female connector includes at least oneshield spring formed therein.
 8. The connector of claim 3, wherein themale connector or the female connector includes at least one shieldprotrusion formed thereon.
 9. The connector of claim 3, wherein the maleconnector or the female connector includes at least one shield grooveformed therein.
 10. (canceled)
 11. The connector of claim 3, wherein theat least one shield spring is formed in the rounded side.
 12. Theconnector of claim 3, wherein the at least one shield spring is formedin the planar side.
 13. The connector of claim 3, wherein the at leastone shield protrusion is formed on one of the longitudinal sides. 14.The connector of claim 3, wherein the at least one shield protrusion isformed on the rounded side.
 15. The connector of claim 3, wherein the atleast one shield protrusion is formed on the planar side.
 16. Theconnector of claim 3, wherein the at least one shield groove is formedin one of the longitudinal sides.
 17. The connector of claim 3, whereinthe at least one shield groove is formed in the rounded side.
 18. Theconnector of claim 3, wherein the at least one shield groove is formedin the planar side.
 19. The system of claim 3, further comprising ashroud at the planar side of the male connector or the planar side ofthe female connector.
 20. (canceled)
 21. The connector of claim 3,wherein the housing of the female connector is configured to beinsertable into the housing of the male connector such that at least oneshield protrusion of the male connector compresses at least one shieldspring of the female connector. 22.-24.(canceled)
 25. The system ofclaim 3, wherein the male connector or the female connector includes ashield configured to contact the at least one shield spring. 26.-37.(canceled)
 38. The system of claim 1, wherein the monitor mount isconfigured to detachably secure a patient monitor configured to monitorand display information about a patient.
 39. The system of claim 1,wherein the module is a patient monitoring module configured to acquireand process data generated by at least one physiological sensorconfigured to monitor a physiological parameter of a patient.